Carl Weisbrod stepping down as city planning chairman

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Carl Weisbrod is stepping down as director of the Department of City Planning and chair of the City Planning Commission.

Considered one of the city’s great civic leaders, Weisbrod will assume new responsibilities as chair of the Trust for Governors Island.

US Department of the Treasury’s Assistance Secretary Marisa Lago will replace Weisbrod.

“This is a bittersweet moment,ˮ said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Carl helped to build our administration and has been part of its bedrock.

“His contributions have earned him a place as one of our city’s great civic leaders, and we are honored that he has agreed to take on the task of continuing Governors Island’s incredible transformation.

Weisbrod’s achievements include the revitalization of Times Square, the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan after 9/11 and the negotiation of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, widely regarded as the best sports complex deal ever secured by a municipal government.

His recent record includes the passage of the nation’s strongest Mandatory Inclusionary Housing program and the most sweeping overhaul of the zoning text since 1961. One of his final tasks was shepherding the rezoing of East Midtown as part of a transformative plan to keep New York City competitive and invest in the area’s public transit and open spaces.

Marisa Lago has nearly 30 years of public service under her belt. She began her career in City government in 1983 as an aide to Planning chairman Herb Sturz. She has served as President and CEO of the New York Empire State Development Corporation, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Economic Development, and the Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority. Lago also served as the General Counsel at the NYC Economic Development Corporation under Weisbord. S

he is currently the US Department of the Treasury’s Assistance Secretary for International Markets and Developments.

New York Building Congress president & CEO Carlo A. Scissura said, “Marisa Lago is the perfect choice to succeed a legend such as Carl Weisbrod as Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission.

“The New York Building Congress looks forward to working with Marisa and the de Blasio administration to strengthen our communities throughout the five boroughs, create more affordable housing, support key industries and prepare for future economic growth through such vital initiatives as the Midtown East rezoning.”